Rep. Steve LaTourette pushes bill that would exempt Great Lakes shippers from ...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Shippers along the Great Lakes want smooth sailing for Bainbridge Township Republican Rep. Steve LaTourette's bill to exempt them from a harbor maintenance tax.LaTourette says the tax is the main obstacle to establishing ferries to transport goods between Canada and Northeast Ohio. Ferry proposals have been floated in Ashtabula, Cleveland, Grand River and Conneaut.
He predicts an exemption would "open up an avalanche of new investment along the Great Lakes in our region" by shifting cargo onto the water, away from roads and rails. That would save time and fuel for shippers, and reduce road traffic and pollution.
Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority Director Will Friedman says the exemption would aid development of a proposed cargo and passenger ferry his group is exploring between Cleveland and Ontario as well as help "us and other ports and carriers go out and compete against the rail and road carriers."
In addition to water traffic between the U.S. and Canada, the cargo tax exemption would cover shipments between U.S. ports anywhere in the country.
The bill's main congressional sponsor, Columbus-area GOP Rep. Patrick Tiberi, predicts it will encourage economic growth and job creation. The bill also is cosponsored by Democrats from Great Lakes states.
The tax, levied at a rate of $1.25 per $1,000 of cargo value, keeps shippers from viewing the water as a viable transportation option, instead steering their cargo onto roadways, explains Terry Johnson, administrator of the U.S. Transportation Department's St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, which backs the legislation.
Passing the legislation "would level the playing field between maritime and truck transport," he says.
The proposed exemption would not affect the taxes currently paid by "bulk cargo" shippers of iron ore, coal and limestone who are members of the Rocky River-based Lake Carriers Association. Its members nevertheless support the bill, says vice-president Glen Nekvasil.
"The point is to attract cargoes that currently do not move on the Great Lakes," Nekvasil says. "It will help bring more shipping and more jobs to the system."
The Joint Committee on Taxation last year estimated the bill would cost the government about $2 million each year. That amount would hardly be missed, Nekvasil says, since the harbor maintenance trust fund takes in about $1.6 billion each year, spends roughly $750 million, and has a $5.7 billion surplus.
Great Lakes Maritime Jobs - News
Its members nevertheless support the bill, says vice-president Glen Nekvasil. "The point is to attract cargoes that currently do not move on the Great Lakes," Nekvasil says. "It will help bring more shipping and more jobs to the system.
There's also a program that teaches navigation, welding, and small engine repair that qualifies them for entry level jobs on Great Lakes ships, he said. Christophe said the racing project taught him that “being a naval architect is really difficult.
Although CBP typically defines the northern border region as the area between the United States and Canada, running from Washington through Maine and including the Great Lakes region, CBP also facilitates and ensures the security of trade across the
Great Lakes or Inland Job search?
New to the forum here, just looking to see if anyone has any leads for me. Been working on the Great Lakes for 5 years now on bulk self unloaders. I kinda want to try something new. Really interested in pushing on brown water. I know towing endorsements and TOARs would help, but I don't have any of that. I'm hoping to find a company that will help me get that stuff done. What exactly is a steersman/apprentice mate? Any help would be greatly appreciated! thanks a lot. I called both Kirby and Higman, pretty much got blown off. Lol I have been calling places for days. Man the job market is not good. I know I could get a lot farther with a few endorsements, and that's what I am trying to achieve, but no one wants to train I guess. When I said brown water, I guess I was including the Western Rivers too. I'll check out that link next. Thanks guys! I don't know if it matters for brown water but you might think about taking a RFPNW-Lookout Only course (Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch) as a half step towards getting the full RFPNW. If you wanted to ship oceans as an AB you would need it. It can't hurt and may make you a bit more marketable. I think some places offer it as a two day course.
Great Lakes Maritime Jobs - Bookshelf
Steamboats & sailors of the Great Lakes
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Founded in 1992, the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force promotes domestic and international shipping on the Great Lakes. With 82 members, it is the ...